THISISRNB INTERVIEWS

Sevyn Streeter returned to New Orleans this past July 4th weekend to perform at ESSENCE Music Festival for the second year in a row. Following a commanding performance at the “Hot Right Now” Superlounge, we caught up with the singer/songwriter for a quick backstage interview.

Always fun to chat with, Sevyn shared why she loves the Essence experience so much, and what fans can expect from her upcoming EP ‘Should Been There,’ due out July 17. Additionally she told us what song – past or present – does she wish she wrote and why, plus she shared her dream team all-star collaboration.

Adrian Marcel traveled down to New Orleans this past July 4th weekend to perform for the first time at the 21st annual ESSENCE Music Festival. Following a noteworthy performance at the “Hot Right Now” Superlounge, we caught up with the R&B singer for a quick backstage interview.

Always open and honest, Adrian spoke with us about how he stays so humble and true to himself, he talked about the creation of his latest project ‘Weak After Next: Reloaded,’ and shared which song he wishes was made an official single off his debut mixtape ‘7 Days of Weak.’ Additionally, while he wouldn’t reveal too much, Adrian gave us a little info on what fans can expect from his upcoming single produced by Ayo The Producer.

Elle Varner returned to New Orleans this past July 4th weekend to perform at ESSENCE Music Festival for the second year in a row. Following a commanding performance at the “Now Playing” Superlounge, we caught up with the songstress for a quick backstage interview.

Quirky and fun-spirited as always, Elle had plenty to tell us about how fans are embracing her new music, the sounds and styles of her anticipated sophomore album ‘4 Letter Word,’ which she is very eager to release, and she hinted at a big collaboration she has coming up. Speaking about collabos the singer/songwriter revealed who she is and wants to work with still on the project, and shared her dream all-star collaboration.

Teedra Moses returned to her hometown of New Orleans this past July 4th weekend for the annual ESSENCE Music Festival. Following an outstanding performance at the “Soul of R&B” Superlounge, we caught up with the self-proclaimed Lioness for a brief backstage interview.

After over a decade since the release of her acclaimed debut album, the underground favorite will be releasing her much-anticipated sophomore album, Cognac & Conversation on August 7. While admitting that it’s always hard to choose one, Teedra shared with us details about her current favorite song off the forthcoming album. She also told us which new R&B artist is really inspiring her right now, how she stays so driven after all these years, and who her ideal dream team all-star collaboration would be.

Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger is prepping for the release of his anticipated new album Cuffing Season, now due out July 17 via YFS/300 Entertainment. The album features Boosie, Tank, T Boz, 2 Chainz, Mya and more, with production by Ayo, Bam, D Mile, DJ Mustard, Tommy Brown and more.

While he was visiting New York City recently we caught up with the R&B hitmaker for an exclusive interview at a bungalow in Spotify’s NYC office to talk about the new album, his personal life, and how the two are so closely intertwined.

“Each project was my life through music,” explained Eric while talking about the progression between his last album The ReBirth, prelude mixtape ‘Choose Up Season,’ and the forthcoming Cuffing Season album. Eric breaks down the transition musically and in his personal life, explaining how using those personal moments turned into the best way to promote the new album, and celebrate a lifestyle dedicated to a monogamous relationship.

“I could have been here, I could have been there, I could have been with that person, but love made me do it,” he says referencing the song “Love Made Me Do It.” A title that is so amply suited for the album’s theme, which is a trend throughout the tracklisting. Going further he gives us details on some of the features on the project, including the Boosie-assisted “You Can Have The Hoes,” the TLC inspired “Creep” which features none other than T-Boz herself, and the Tank-asssisted “Turn Down For You.”

Eric has coined himself the “King Cuffer” and he is proud to wear the title and persona with the intent to inspire the culture and young generations to be devoted to whomever they choose to love.

Tamia. When speaking of her, the words musical perfection come to our mind, but for you, longevity, OG of R&B, and gracious beauty might be accurate substitutions.

While the gorgeous songstress made her appearance on the scene almost two decades ago with her hit-single, “You Put A Move On My Heart,” that hasn’t stopped the now 40-year-old singer from keeping her relevancy in tact. Delivering her self-titled debut album in 1998 and its follow-up A Nu Day in 2000, the mother and wife of legendary basketball player Grant Hill took over the hearts of many with her sultry and breathtaking voice.

Now on her sixth album, Tamia is back like never before and the appreciation is larger than life. Signed to Def Jam Records, Love Life offers up her first album on a major label since 2004’s More. Hosting some hot and steamy new singles such as “Stuck With Me” and “Lipstick,” the new album hits stores today and we couldn’t be more excited about its arrival.

Taking some time out of her busy schedule last week to chat with us about its inception, Tamia let me in on a few details revolving around Love Life, her upcoming tour, how to make love last, and her thoughts on the current state of R&B.

Dawn Richard needs no introduction to music lovers. As a founding member of the platinum-selling girl group, Danity Kane, and later one-third of Bad Boy Records’ Diddy-Dirty Money, Richard has paid her dues both in the studio and on the stage.

But these days Richard is rolling solo. Off the heels of her critically-acclaimed debut full-length album, Goldenheart, the 31-year-old singer is back with the same attitude, but different sound.

Blackheart, the second part of a trilogy conceptual album, is Richard’s musical statement piece. It’s dark, introspective and unlike anything some listeners could expect. Not to mention, it’s already climbed to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes electronic chart. Though her sound has often been coined “progressive R&B,” Richard says she’d rather not be put into a box. Instead she just wants her music to be accepted for what it is: undefined.

In an exclusive interview, Richard tell us the story behind her “heart” trilogy, why former DK bandmate Aundrea Fimbres is the only feature on the album and why she prefers to be a genreless artist. Check out that and more below!

Outstanding. That’s the first word that comes to mind when sought after singer-songwriter Ne-Yo is mentioned. From his work behind the pen for some of your favorite artists to the vocal abilities that he pushes through on his on tracks, the self-proclaimed Gentleman of R&B has given us hit after hit throughout his time in the industry.

Gearing up for the release of his sixth studio album Non-Fiction – which is set to hit stores on January 27 – the multi-talented artist has a lot to sing about this time around. Choosing to go a different route than with his previous albums, the “She Knows” singer called on a few lucky fans to assist in the creation of the upcoming project. With lead singles such as “Money Can’t Buy” featuring Jeezy, the Juicy J assisted “She Knows,” and the recently visually adapted, “Coming With You,” the anticipation for what Ne-Yo’s offering this time around is exceedingly high from fans everywhere.

Taking some time to chat with ThisIsRnB about the creative process of the album, using fans real stories on tracks like “Religious,” creating quality music no matter genre, the positives and negatives of R&B today, and more, Ne-Yo gave us one of the best interviews we’ve had in quite some time.